Akufo-Addo�s Loud Silence On Judicial Corruption Worrying

While the alleged damning corruption exposé by ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, involving some 34 judges and about 40 others has gotten almost every Ghanaian scandalized, with prominent leaders in the country showing their utter disgust, the 2016 flag bearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the man touted as incorruptible President-to-be; is yet to break his silence on the roundly condemned scandal.

Surprisingly, Nana Akufo-Addo, who in recent times, is in the habit of being the first to comment on all matters of national importance, has since the bribery scandal broke; maintain a deafening silence.

Even though Nana Akufo-Addo, the self-proclaimed corruption crusader, who recently assured the nation that he is “too old to steal Ghana’s money” (if elected President), has so far not stated his position on the supposed corruption scandal that hit the judiciary since it broke two weeks past.

Nana Akufo-Addo’s loud silence is against the backdrop of the fact that prominent Ghanaians, including the two former Presidents, Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor, The Ashanti Overlord, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood and a host of other distinguished Ghanaians have all expressed regrets and embarrassment at the reprehensible nature of the issue.

Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tiger Eye team in a two-year undercover exercise exposed 34 judges who were allegedly negotiating with agents including court clerks, police prosecutors and Prison Officers to free suspects involved in robbery, murder and other serious crimes.

In the midst of public outrage on the matter, former President Jerry John Rawlings though, called for circumspection and tact in dealing with the matter, said he was saddened by the matter.

“I feel genuinely sad about it. I guess it shows some are just as vulnerable as most others. Times are really hard and there is no doubt some would have done it out of greed, like some of our politicians, businessmen and so-called men of God. And others to profit from politics by releasing armed robbers and other criminals back onto our streets,” he pointed out in a statement.

He however, appealed for circumspection, especially on the part of the media and members of the public.

On his part, former President John Kufuor described the exposé on the alleged bribery in the Judiciary as abominable and shameful which should cause all in the legal profession to hang their heads in shame.

“The recent exposure of the Judiciary being perverse and corrupt is abominable and shameful and it should cause all in the legal and the Judiciary profession to hang their heads in shame, “Kufuor said while speaking at the annual conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in Kumasi.

Speaking on the same platform at the Bar association conference, the overlord of Ashanti, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, advised individuals engaged in corrupt acts in the judicial service to be wise, because the ‘end time’ is near for them.

He said “corruption is not a judicial disease, it is and has always been a national disease so there must be in several areas of public life where several hearts are pounding and pondering, where next.”

The Chief Justice has since taken active steps to deal with the issue by setting up a committee to investigate the indicted judges, but this has since been halted as a result of law suit challenging the work of the committee.

However, Nana Akufo-Addo, a lawyer by profession and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who is reported shielding NPP executives alleged to have misappropriated party funds, is yet to comment on this all important national issue even though he was at the Bar conference in Kumasi.